Cuisine…Take Comfort: Cozy up to healthier favorites

Can cool weather comfort foods ever be good for you? When you start with healthful ingredients, you can end up giving yourself a satisfying meal and a nutritional boost.Tomato products should be a key ingredient for any meal as they are some of the healthiest foods you can have in your kitchen.

Scientific studies suggest that tomato products may protect the body against cardiovascular disease, inflammation and various forms of cancer. All of that, plus they are a very affordable way to get an extra serving of vegetables.

Stir together all ingredients except optional toppings and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours or until beef is tender. Remove cover and cook over medium heat until sauce is thick. Season with pepper and serve with diced avocado, shredded cheese and cilantro leaves, if you like.

Cut pork into 2-inch cubes. Stir together dry seasonings in a small bowl and sprinkle over pork, turning to coat all sides. Place in a large slow cooker with tomatoes, lime juice and onion. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 10 hours.

Remove pork from slow cooker with a slotted spoon and place in a large bowl; shred using 2 forks or a potato masher. Stir in enough cooking liquid to make pork saucy and add chipotle peppers and adobo sauce to taste. Serve on warm rolls or tortillas with remaining sauce, if desired.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; stir in rice, garlic and shallots. Cook for 10 minutes or until vegetables are soft; stir in basil. Reduce heat to low and stir in stock, 2/3 cup at a time, cooking and stirring until stock is absorbed before adding more to skillet.

Stir in tomato sauce, wine and sun-dried tomatoes; cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until excess liquid has cooked off and rice is thick; stir in Parmesan.

Meanwhile, while rice is cooking, grill or broil mushrooms. Place spoonfuls of risotto inside each mushroom and sprinkle with additional Parmesan, if desired.

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, fennel and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes to soften. Stir in tomato puree, herbs and sugar. Cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat for 45 minutes or until tomato sauce is very thick, stirring frequently to make sure sauce does not scorch on the bottom.

Brush one side of each bread slice with olive oil and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Top each with 3 tablespoons shredded cheese and place in a hot oven or under the broiler for a few minutes or until cheese is melted and edges are lightly browned. Top each with a fried egg, a generous spoonful of tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese and fresh basil to taste.